720 ILCS 5/10-6 – Harboring a Runaway
This law makes it illegal to shelter a runaway minor for more than 48 hours without telling their parents or the police.
This Illinois law says that if you give shelter to a runaway minor for more than two days without their parent or guardian’s consent and you don’t report it to local law enforcement, you are committing a crime. Breaking this law is considered a Class A misdemeanor.
(a) Anyone who gives a runaway minor a place to stay for more than 48 hours without the parent or guardian’s permission and without telling the police is breaking the law. This rule does not apply to crisis centers or youth shelters that are allowed by law to help minors. It also doesn’t apply if the minor has been legally emancipated (made an adult by a court).
(b) Sentence: A person who breaks this law can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, which is a serious crime that can result in fines or jail time.
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Southern Illinois criminal defense lawyer.
